Gregory, Jones win titles at North Canton Hoover

Mavrik Gregory and Trevor Jones each won individual titles in leading the Mount Vernon boys’ wrestling team to a seventh-place finish in the North Canton Hoover Holiday tournament.

Gregory cruised to the title in the 157-pound weight class. The senior pinned his first opponent in 1:56, then followed that up with impressive technical fall victories in his next two matches. His toughest match was the semifinal, where he picked up a 4-0 decision. In the finals, Gregory beat Luke Lee of Clear Fork, 12-2, to win the title.

Jones started his day at 215 with an impressive 7-1 victory. He followed that up with a 5-3 win and then exploded to win his final two matches via pin. The freshman beat Chase Shriner of New Lexington in 1:41 in the championship match.

Two other Jackets — Luke Mullins (190) and Carter Hill (175) also made the podium at the prestigious tournament.

Mullins won his first three matches easily — a pinfall in 1:36, followed by 17-2 and 24-8 technical fall decisions. He then lost his next three matches to finish sixth overall.

Hill got the started strong with a pin in 2:18 in his first match. After falling 5-0 in his second one, he bounced back with three straight wins (15-2, 15-0, 7-1) before losing again. A 2:13 pin of Mario Brienza of Revere gave him seventh place in the tournament.

Gabe Thomas (144) had three wins on the day, while Keagan Leasure (120) and Tye Thomas (132) each had two victories. Gabe Kiser (106) and Preston Hempfield (150) each had a pinfall victory.

Girls wrestling

Ashlynn Brokaw won an individual title and helped the Mount Vernon girls’ wrestling team to a 27th place finish in the Findlay Fight on Dec. 21.

Brokaw won five matches in the 84-team tournament. She started the day with two pins in the 110-pound weight class, then followed that up with a technical fall victory and a tough 4-3 win in the semifinals. In the finals, she took down Khloe Nedelsky of Whiteland Community in 3:14 to capture the title.

Several other Mount Vernon wrestlers fared well in the tough girls’ tournament.

Luci Parker (100 pounds), Mahayley Laverick (135) and Khadija Ndow (170) all narrowly missed getting on the podium.

After a first bout pin, Parker bounced back to win her next two matches – 9-1 and 20-3. Leading in her next match, she suffered a pin and was ousted.

Laverick began the day with a pin in 3:24 but was pinned in her next match. She bounced back with another pinfall victory before falling by pin in the next one.

Ndow also started with a pin (5:17), but lost her next two matches by pin. A 9-7 decision kept her going, but she fell in the sixth round of the consolation bracket.

Evelyn Martinez (120) was able to get a pin in her first match before falling twice. Jessie Blas-Perez (110) and Alivia Zimmerman (145) also participated.

Boys’ basketball

Three players in double figures helped lead the Mount Vernon boys’ basketball team to a 49-36 victory over Northridge on Dec. 17.

Trace Beck led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Justus Shaw added 15 points and five rebounds, while Trenton Wells had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Northridge was led by Titus Hardin, who scored 10 points.

The Jackets made it two wins in a row with a 67-62 victory over Watkins Memorial on Dec. 19.

Wells poured in 26 points to lead MV. Beck added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Shaw had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Bowling

The Mount Vernon boys’ bowling team got big games up and down the lineup to edge Northridge, 2,194-2,189, on Dec. 19 at Colonial Lanes.

Griffin Beach led the Jackets with games of 210-224, while Andrew Primm fired off games of 231-201. Bryce Hollenback added games or 213-151 as the Jackets picked up the victory.

Northridge was led by Landon Yutzy, who shot 236-177.

MV’s girls’ team had a much easier night, beating the Vikings, 1,502-747.

Addyson Dusenberry led the Jackets with a 282 series (125-157). Elena Culletto shot 243 (142-101) and Haylie Watts 251 (103-148).

Northridge was led by Reese Crow, who shot 250 (147-103).